When we bought our first home together, we immediately envisioned hosting our wedding reception in the most personal space we had—the backyard. Why not? It was intimate, comfortable, and brimming with potential. A cake and champagne reception in our own backyard seemed like the perfect way to celebrate our civil ceremony, and we were excited to turn it into something truly memorable. Of course, we couldn’t just stop at cake and champagne; a few delicious hor d’oeuvres seemed like a necessary addition!
Turning a Simple Civil Ceremony into an Unforgettable Event
The more we thought about it, the more our simple civil ceremony evolved into a full-fledged celebration. As we started exploring caterers for a small, intimate meal, we quickly realized the cost was adding up. With quotes coming in that included everything from the “open bar” to vintage flatware, cake displays, and the full catering experience, we realized the expenses were mounting. Miami, as beautiful as it is, is one of the priciest destinations for a wedding. What we had originally imagined as a low-key event began to feel a lot more like a traditional wedding celebration.
But we were determined to avoid sacrificing quality for the sake of convention. So, we tossed out the rulebook entirely and focused on what mattered most to us. Our civil ceremony was never meant to replace the destination wedding we had planned for Mexico—it was just a prelude. Instead of a sit-down dinner, we opted for a lavish “cocktail hour,” featuring a signature cocktail, an assortment of delectable hor d’oeuvres, and, of course, vintage Dom Perignon champagne (which I had been saving for a “perfect moment”).
We decided to splurge on the elements that would truly matter to us and our guests, making sure everything had meaning. The right team was key to pulling off this vision, and we couldn’t have been happier with the results.
The Setting: A Backyard Full of Character
Our wedding reception took place in our backyard, which we transformed into a charming and elegant space. Guests were welcomed through a wrought-iron gate into our intimate gathering, greeted with our signature guava-margarita cocktail—a nod to the flavors we’d be enjoying in Mexico. The entire event was set to a jazzy playlist that filled the air, setting the perfect tone for the afternoon.
We enlisted Suzanne Michael Luxury Events to bring our vision to life. Suzanne and her team understood exactly what we wanted and worked tirelessly to ensure everything went off without a hitch. From serving seven (yes, seven!) scrumptious hors d’oeuvres—like savory mini ahi tuna tacos and crispy spring rolls—to ensuring every detail was perfect, Suzanne’s team did an impeccable job. The food was a massive hit, and it felt so good to see our guests enjoying themselves with every bite.
While our guests were being pampered with food and drinks, my husband and I took a brief detour around Coconut Grove and Coral Gables to capture a few moments with our photographer KT Merry and videographer Chelsae Anne. These photos were precious and allowed us to steal some quiet moments before rejoining our friends and family for the main event.
A Simple, Yet Meaningful, Reception
When we returned home, I took a deep breath, removed my veil, and swapped it out for a stylish headband and earrings from Jennifer Behr. I also ditched my heels in favor of comfortable Tabitha Simmons mules—and I could feel the excitement building. Hand-in-hand with my husband, cocktail in hand, we walked through the gate to rejoin our family and friends, who were eagerly awaiting the celebration.
The afternoon unfolded beautifully. Every detail, from the mismatched cocktail napkins to the dessert plates I had collected from local consignment stores in Palm Beach and Etsy, contributed to the warm, personal atmosphere of the day. I had sourced unique pieces from Only on the Avenue, my favorite spot for tableware goods, and seeing them come together with bistro lights and floral installations made me smile. It was exactly the kind of intimate celebration we had hoped for, and it felt completely authentic to us. Now, whenever we host dinner parties in our backyard, we use the same pieces, adding an extra layer of sentiment to those special evenings.
Cake, Music, and First Dance
Of course, no celebration would be complete without cake! We cut into a stunning three-tier vanilla cake with strawberry filling, created by Earth & Sugar, a local, women-led, Latin-owned bakery in Palm Beach. I had known Janderyn, the founder of Earth & Sugar, for years, and when it came time to select a cake, there was no one else I had in mind. Janderyn’s design perfectly captured our vision—elegant but not overly “wedding-ish,” just right for our backyard gathering.
As the sun began to set, we shared our first dance to “Moon River,” a song that held personal meaning for both of us. The tune was a favorite of my late grandfather, a salsa composer who adored Henry Mancini. It also felt perfect because it represented both of our families—an ode to my grandfather’s legacy, yet light and romantic, just like us. Though my husband is a bit shy about dancing, we decided to share this moment with our family, and I’ll forever treasure the memory of dancing together surrounded by loved ones.
A Perfect End to a Perfect Day
As the night went on, we made one final toast with champagne and stepped outside to where sparklers awaited us. Our neighbors across the street watched the whole evening unfold and even gifted us a beautiful orchid as guests drove away. When the last of the sparklers fizzled out, we retreated inside, slipped into pajamas, and ordered takeout from a local sushi spot. It was the perfect ending to our wedding day—just the two of us, savoring our first meal as husband and wife.
The evening was everything we could have asked for—intimate, relaxed, and filled with meaning. The key moments we had created with intention, from the music to the cake to the personal touches, made our backyard wedding feel like an extension of ourselves. It was simple, yet so full of love, and we wouldn’t have had it any other way.
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